Cumberland CID Chairman Tad Leithead is facing charges of driving under the influence stemming from a Jan. 6 arrest in Forsyth County.
Shortly after 5 p.m. that day, law enforcement responded to a call about a driver who had parked in the middle of the road and was sitting on the pavement outside his vehicle, according to an incident report.
The driver, Leithead, climbed back in and drove to a nearby parking lot where sheriff’s deputies questioned him about his alcohol consumption.
According to the report, Leithead appeared heavily intoxicated and failed roadside sobriety and breathalyzer tests.
“The Walk and Turn and the One Leg Stand evaluations were not administered due to Leithead’s inability to follow simple instructions or stand up without falling over,” the report reads. “I asked Leithead multiple times if he wanted to continue ... and his response every time was ‘I just want to sit in my car.’”
Deputies also found a bottle of vodka in the vehicle.
Leithead took over the CID last year after the former head of the organization left with a severance package that suggested possible trouble behind the scenes.
The CID’s attorney, Lynn Rainey, said it is looking into the arrest and “has no comment at this time.”
Forsyth County Solicitor-General Bill Finch said Leithead’s next court date is scheduled for March 13.
Finch said he expects his office to seek anywhere from $700 to $1,000 in fines due to a prior DUI from 1984.
State law would also require Leithead to complete community service and a DUI risk reduction course.
“The State’s evidence that will be presented is that he had elevated blood alcohol content,” Finch said. He described the case as “pretty standard.”
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